Silent alarm clock



Jan. 31, 1933. T. J. CRANWILL SILENT ALARM CLOCK Filed March 29, 1932 7:]: Ufa 71W I 3 Irrsu Indian Patented Jan. 31, 1933 PATENT, OFFICE THOMAS J. CBANWILL, OF OLATHE, KANSAS SILENT ALARM CLOCK Application filed March 29,1932. Serial No. 801,848.-

This invention relates to a combination clock or time unit and a signal operated there- An object of this invention is to provide a close a visible signal so that a person such as a deaf person or the like can be awakened without the usualsoundingof a vibrating alarm. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a signal means of this kind which can be readily attached to a conventional alarm clock, and which may be connected to any suitable source of electric currentsupply for actuating the signal light.

. The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in partbe described in and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same. being illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

wherein Figure 1 is a detail rear elevation'of an alarm clock partly broken away having a device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention mounted there- Figure 2 is an enlarged rear elevation of a switch structure with the cover therefor removed showing a portion of the alarm clock winding shaft in section, and showing a dia- 5 grammatic view of the electric circuit within which the switch is interposed.

- Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view partly in detail taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter C designates generally an alarm clock or time member of conventional construction, which is provided with a winding key 13 for winding the main spring of the clock C, and

is also provided with a winding key 10 disposed about a winding shaft 11 operatively connected to the alarm spring of the clock C. This clock C is provided with a base B which has a socket 12 mounted thereon to one side ofthe clock C, and a light bulb 14 is threaded into the socket 12.

In order to provide means whereby the light bulb 14, which is interposed in an electric circuit 15 and connected to a source of electric supply S, maybe lighted under the operation'of the clock C, I have provided a switch structure including a base 16 of insulating material which is secured to the clock C by means of a screw 17. This base C has a pair of fixed contacts 18 and 19 which are exposed on one edge of the base, and these contacts 18 and 19 are interposed in the electric circuit 15 and connected to the lamp 14.

A movable or resilient contact 20 is secured. to the base 16 and is disposed in a position to bridge the two fixed contacts 18 and 19. An insulating switch closing lever 21 is loosely mounted on the alarm winding post 11 and is preferably disposed about the key shank 22, as more clearly disclosed in Figure 3. A lever operating member 23 is interposed between the inner end of the key shank 14 and the winding shaft 11, and this lever operating member 23 is provided with an offset lug 24 disposed in the path of the lever 21.

A cover plate 25 is secured by means of screws or the like to the base 16 and is preferably of insulating construction as is the switch operating lever 21. In the operation of this device. the light 14 may be connected to a source of current supply S which may be either a conventional lighting circuit for a dwelling or the like or may a battery. The alarm mechanism of the clock C may be set to go off at the desired time and the winding key 10 turned partially so as to carry the lever operating member 23 out of engagement with the/circuit closing lever 21. When the alarm goes off, the operating member 23 will rotate and pressure of this lever operating member 23 will carry the lever 21 into engagement with the spring or bridging contact 20 which is normally out of engagement with the fixed contacts 18 and thereby cause this spring 20 to bridge the two contacts 18 and 19 and close the electric circuit 15 so as to light the bulb 14. This bulb 14 will remain lighted until the alarm winding key 10' is turned so as 1 to carry the lever operating member 23 out of engagement with the lever 21.

It is, of course, understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment ofthis invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the followmg claims. 5 v

What is claimed is 1. In a signal therefor, a switch secured to said operating means and operable thereby, said switch comprising a base, a pair of spaced contacts mounted on the base, a resilient contact having an end portion secured to the base and overlying saidvpair of contacts and normally disposed out of contact therewith, a non-conducting member carried by said operating means and a lever engaging said non-conducting member and operable by said operating means to swing said non-conducting member into engagement with the resilient contact to move said latter contact'into engagement with the pair of contacts.

2. In a signal and time operatin means therefor including an alarmspring and a shaft having a threaded end, a switch comprising a base, a pair of fixed contacts carried by the base, a resilient contact'secured to the base and overlying a cover for said contacts, a non-conducting member, and means carried by the time operating means and engaging said non-conducting member to compress said resilient contact and movesaid resilient contact into engagement with said pair of contacts, said latter means comprising a flat member inter-' posed between a winding key and said threaded end of said spring shaft, and a lug carried b the latter member for engagement with t e non-conductin member.

In testimony whereo signature.

memos and time operating means.

said fixed contacts, a

I hereunto afia my 

